>I guess it depends. In Rush's case, he was self medicating for pain. A guy doing grass is trying to get a buzz. Don't give me the medical marijuana ruse either.
>
>You bet I'm gonna give you the medical marijuana argument.... <s>
>
>Yes, Rush might very well have been self-medicating for pain. As for the medical marijuana, the AMA has urged government officials to reconsider its position and has urged (roughly) 35 other states to change existing laws.
>
>Now, unless you're going to call the AMA a bunch of weed-smoking hippies, I think the time has come for you to acknowledge what many licensed physicians already know - that marijuana can help ease the pain of those suffering with certain diseases.
>
>Some doctors estimate that in as many as 25% of cases, marijuana can do more to alleviate pain in AIDS and cancer and MS patients than other pain killers.
>
>Here's what it boils down to....suppose I were dying of cancer in the advanced stages of MS...or if not me, your wife, or your kid.....and conventional treatments didn't work, and they wound up using marijuana just to get through the day. Yes or no, are you going to look the other way, or you going to fine them/whip out your .38 and quote Miranda?

If someone has been diagnosed with a terminal disease, I believe they should be able to do whatever they want, because what's the harm? I have a cousin who is in the last stages of cancer and I feel like for him. Even so, I am not in favor of legalizing it. If doctors prescribe it, I see no difference than any other drug. The guvment is supposed to review all that stuff and determine what can and can't be used. I don't pretend to know more about that than the doctors, except that I rarely take anything stronger than naproxin sodium (aleve). If you see me taking some prescription pain meds, I'm in excruciating pain.

Medical mj has not been shown to be more effective than other drugs. From what I've read, it is less effective. As far as whipping out my .38 . . . I carry a .40 cal automatic or two! lol

Legal mj is just a ruse to push for legalized drugs. If we do that, I say lets legalize homicide too! I'm ready and prepared for a little anarchy! :}

From the DEA's website:
Marijuana is a dangerous, addictive drug that poses significant health threats to users.
Marijuana has no medical value that can't be met more effectively by legal drugs.
Marijuana users are far more likely to use other drugs like cocaine and heroin than non-marijuana users.
Drug legalizers use "medical marijuana" as red herring in effort to advocate broader legalization of drug use.

http://www.justice.gov/dea/ongoing/marijuana.html